Part 1…32 tips for making a long-haul flight more comfortable…

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A hornbill brought a treat to her reflection in the kitchen window.

With more dear friends, Karen and Rich,  coming to visit us from the US in July, we started thinking about how the flight can be more comfortable for those traveling long distances. Today, and tomorrow, we’re sharing this article from Travel and Leisure online magazine;

“32 Tips for Making a Long-haul Flight More Comfortable…

These in-flight hacks will help you enjoy the journey and feel more relaxed upon arrival.

By Chris Heasman

Whether you’re taking a seven-hour trip across the pond to Europe or embarking on the nearly 19-hour odyssey from New York City to Singapore, a long-haul flight can be tedious and exhausting. The nuisances of time-consuming air travel can range in severity from mildly inconvenient (annoying seatmates, for instance) to downright dangerous (developing a blood clot on a plane is no joke). To make a big journey more bearable, try to maintain your typical routine, stay hydrated, wear loose clothing, and pack an extra snack or two.

Here are 32 (the balance posted tomorrow) of our favorite tips to make long flights as trouble-free and comfortable as possible.

Book your flight early to secure a good seat.

The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing your favorite seat, whether it’s by the window to enjoy the scenery or at the aisle for easy access to the lavatory. However, please note that airlines may change your seat without prior notice.

Consider a seat in the back of the plane.

Your favorite seat probably isn’t in the back of the plane. It isn’t quiet back there, tends to have little leg room, and means you’re the last off the plane when it lands. However, there are perks to choosing a back seat. If you’re flying with an airline like Southwest that doesn’t have assigned seats, you might have better luck claiming a row to yourself or at least an empty seat next to you in the back. Additionally, being in the back allows you to observe which rows don’t fill up ahead of you, so you can claim one of the emptier ones after everyone has taken their seat.

Birds were enjoying the birdbath in our garden.

Use airline miles to upgrade.

You’ll thank yourself when you’re sipping Champagne while reclining in first class after using miles to upgrade your seat. And if you don’t have the miles, this might be the time to splurge for a superior first- or business-class seat. Even upgrading to premium economy will give you priority check-in, extra legroom, and comfortable seats.

Or an angle for a free upgrade.

Arrive early, dress nicely, travel alone, and put on your most winning smile for the best chance at success. Your odds of scoring a last-minute upgrade are better if you have elite status with the airline. Try to carefully time when you ask for a flight upgrade to increase your odds as well.

Adjust your sleep pattern before your flight to ensure optimal rest.

In the days leading up to your flight, adjust your sleep patterns; a few 4 a.m. or 7 p.m. bedtimes should suffice, depending on the time of day you’ll be flying. If your flight is during the day, be well-rested before you fly. If it’s a red-eye, arrive at the airport tired. Trust us on this, though: staying awake for 24 hours before your trip to balance out jet lag doesn’t work.

The word in the bush is that Nyalas Nina and Norman had a baby a few days ago, across the road from us. We’ll be watching for her and her new baby.

Dress comfortably.

Keep it loose and comfortable, and remember to bring layers for when the temperature drops. A cardigan or zip-up sweatshirt is always a good option to have on hand, as you can easily put it on or take it off depending on the cabin temperature. Clothes with a bit of stretch, like men’s sweatpants or women’s leggings, can also help you move around more comfortably.

De-stress before you board.

You don’t want to spend your whole flight buzzing about all the things you have to do or what you might have forgotten. Carve out some time before your trip to sit down with a nice breakfast. Go to the gym. Read a book. Go for a walk. It’s important to relax before it’s time to fly.

Check in early.

The worst start to a long-haul journey is to panic your way through a busy airport, arriving at the gate sweaty and frazzled — or even to miss your flight. Plan to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check your bags and proceed through security.

Don’t overpack your items.

You’ll need more for a long-haul flight than you would for a short one, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to overfill your bag with unnecessary extras. Keep only the essentials in your item so they’re always easy to find and within reach.

Bring your pillow.

A travel pillow is a staple carry-on item for long-distance travelers. Almost every airport sells them, and looking a little ridiculous with one around your neck is a small price to pay for arriving at your destination without a crick in your neck. Please pay attention to your airline’s restrictions to ensure it doesn’t have to be packed inside your item.

These white-crested helmet shrikes were checking their reflection in the kitchen window.

Wear noise-canceling headphones.

Noise-canceling headphones help block out annoying airplane noise and loud passengers, allowing you to zone out with a riveting podcast or a favorite playlist. If you don’t have headphones, a pair of good old-fashioned earplugs will also help.

Buckle your seat belt over your blanket.

If you plan to sleep with a blanket during your flight, ensure your buckled seatbelt is still visible. In the event of turbulence, the seatbelt light will activate, and flight attendants may circulate throughout the cabin to ensure that everyone is properly buckled up. If they can’t see your seat belt, they will wake you up. For safety reasons and to avoid “airplane ear,” don’t sleep through takeoff or landing.

Pack an eye mask.

An eye mask is beneficial if you’re flying during the day, or if you want to catch some shut-eye before the cabin lights are dimmed. It’s often an airline freebie in basic amenity kits on international flights, even in economy, but typically not on longer domestic flights.

Try to relax.

Do whatever it takes — meditate, listen to calming music, or practice some breathing exercises. Not only will it help you sleep more easily, but it’s also good for your psyche, especially if flying makes you nervous.

Bring a travel blanket, not a regular blanket.

Please don’t bring anything too thick (remember, it must fit in your carry-on), but ensure your travel blanket is sufficient to keep you warm when the plane’s air conditioning is at full blast.

This band of mongooses visits almost daily for paloney and meat scraps.

Download movies onto your tablet or laptop for backup.

In-flight entertainment systems are not always reliable. They sometimes fail, and when they do, you’ll be glad to have something to do, watch, or listen to in reserve.”

One vital tip for travel, especially for seniors, is to wear compression stockings on your long-haul flight to reduce the risk of blood clots. You can purchase these at a low cost through this link. I bought and wear them, not only on long flights but at other times when I know I will be sitting for extended periods.

Typically, flights from the US to South Africa last for 24-40 hours, most of which is spent sitting. It’s essential to get up and walk around the plane (when there is no turbulence) to diminish the risk of blood clots, stiff joints, and painful backs and hips.

We will continue this list in tomorrow’s post with more suggestions. Please check back for more.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 27, 2015:

Golden-tipped Anthurium, spotted in Kauai. For more photos, please click here.

Day 6…Kruger National Park…More photos…

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What a magnificent animal!

Following are the top ten facts about elephants, along with more elephant information:

Elephants are fascinating creatures with many remarkable characteristics. Here are 10 amazing facts about them:
1. They are the largest land animals: Elephants are the largest land mammals on Earth, with African elephants being the largest.
2. They have incredible memory: Elephants have an impressive memory, known for remembering specific locations and recognizing individuals after long periods.
Some elephants were alone, but most were in small family units and big “parades.”

3. They communicate with vibrations: Elephants communicate not only through sounds but also through vibrations in the ground, allowing them to communicate over long distances.
4. Their trunks are incredibly versatile: An elephant’s trunk is not just a nose but also a hand, mouth, and breathing tool for smelling, drinking, bathing, and more.

This parade started crossing the road.

5. They have the longest pregnancy: Female elephants have the longest pregnancy of any mammal, lasting around 22 months.
6. Their skin is incredibly thick: Elephant skin is thick, often 2.5cm, and folds to retain more water, helping them cool down in the heat.

Some tourists were impatient, trying to maneuver their way around the big beasts, which is dangerous. An elephant can flip a car in a few seconds.

7. They are excellent swimmers: Despite their size, elephants are good swimmers, using their trunks as snorkels.
8. They are extremely intelligent: Elephants are considered one of the most intelligent animals on Earth, capable of self-awareness and recognizing themselves in a mirror.

We waited patiently for them to clear the road before we continued.

9. They have a keen sense of smell: Elephants have a remarkable sense of smell, allowing them to detect water sources up to 12 miles away.
10. They can’t jump: A fascinating fact is that elephants, despite their robust build, cannot jump.

It’s always exciting to see the much larger matriarch who leads the way for the others.

African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth and are known for their intelligence, strong social bonds, and iconic physical features like their large ears and tusks. There are two main species:

  1. African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) – Found in grassy plains and woodlands across sub-Saharan Africa. They are the larger of the two species and have curved tusks and large, fan-shaped ears that help them stay cool.

  2. African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) – Smaller, with straighter tusks and more rounded ears. They live in the dense rainforests of Central and West Africa and were only recently recognized as a separate species due to genetic differences.

There were numerous occasions when they crossed the road.

Some cool facts:

  • Matriarchal societies: Elephant herds are led by the oldest female, the matriarch. She’s like a wise grandma who remembers migration routes and watering holes.

  • Communication: They use rumbles and infrasound to communicate over long distances—sometimes even miles apart.

  • Memory and emotion: “An elephant never forgets” isn’t just a saying. They’re known to mourn their dead and show empathy.
We spotted a yellow-billed stork at Sunset Dam.

Sadly, they’re also under threat. Poaching for ivory, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict have caused a decline in their numbers, especially for forest elephants. Conservation efforts are ongoing, with national parks, anti-poaching laws, and international wildlife protections in place—but challenges remain.

This was one of the few photos we could take of Cape Buffalos, one of the Big Five.

We continue to enjoy trips to Kruger with our friend Lisa at least once a week after she leaves on May 1. It’s been such a joy sharing this stunning bush lifestyle with her.

Last night, we attended Quiz Night at Giraffe for another excellent evening. Kathy, Don, Connie, and Sandra joined us. We didn’t win but came in fifth of 12 groups. There were 64 players for the night, a massive group for this fun event.

We couldn’t believe how many elephants we saw in Kruger.

Soon, Tom will drop Lisa and me off at the Imbewe Spa for a pedicure for me and a massage for her. We booked the Thermal Game Drive for tonight at 7:00 pm, but we’ll have to change the date if the rain continues since the roads are so much worse in Marloth Park in the rain.

Bats were in the thatch rafters at the Mugg & Bean in Lower Sabie.

That’s it for today, dear readers. Hoping all is good with you.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 16, 2015:

In Kauai, spotting these yellow-tipped stamen on this Anthurium was a first for us. For more photos, please click here.

A glorious evening in the bush…Back to Kruger photos tomorrow…

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We call this type of sunset photo the “Eyes of God.” Amazing!

Last night, we had a wonderful time at Lefera Restaurant at Ngwenya Resort, a few kilometers outside Marloth Park. We sat on the veranda having sundowners, and at 6:00 pm, we went indoors to their dining room to have the buffet dinner.

Sunset on the veranda at Ngwenya.

I was disappointed that I had forgotten to bring the camera, as the views of the river were spectacular. Here are a few photos.

It’s unbelievable that the all-you-can-eat buffet is priced at only ZAR 200, USD $10.35. Tom hosted the dinner for the five of us, and the total bill, including drinks, tax, and tips, was only ZAR 1548.65, US $80.16, averaging ZAR 309.69,  US $16.03.

The ambiance on the veranda, overlooking the Crocodile River with many animal sightings, was superb, and the service was impeccable. The food on the buffet was top-notch, and we all enjoyed hefty plates of delicious meats, vegetables, salads, and other side dishes.

Our friend Lisa, enjoying a tropical drink at Ngwenya last night.

I enjoyed the desserts, including a local favorite, Malva pudding, and another sweet and creamy concoction. I took a small taste of each and swooned with delight. But I had to stop for my health and commitment to losing weight, which is going well but slower after a month of working on it.

Here is another photo from the veranda last night at Ngwenya.

Sweets are not included in my diet unless I bake something suitable using keto sweeteners, almond, and coconut flours that don’t raise my blood sugar.

Soon, we are leaving to bring a bag of pellets to Kathy and Don’s home on the river. We wanted Lisa to meet them and to see them again for a few minutes.

We’ve had a lot of visitors this morning, including about 60 mongooses, six kudus, Mac, the impala, and a friend, Norman’s family without him, several bushbucks, and much to our delight, finally, two funny hornbills with their delightful antics. The bush sounds were outstanding this morning; we all reveled in the majestic environment.

That’s it for today, folks. We hope you enjoy your weekend. We sure will!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 11, 2015:

In Kauai, I squealed when I spotted this gorgeous Rhododendron at the Princeville Botanical Gardens. For more photos, please click here.

Day 1, Kruger National Park…Guided game drive…Very cloudy day…

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This scene at sunrise prompted us to take photos.

Being ready to head out the door to the safari vehicle at 5:00 am was a bit challenging. Still, the three of us managed to be prepared to go when Martin, our Kruger guide, arrived in the 10-person safari vehicle with two other guests already in tow.

We were concerned that in a 10-person vehicle, one or two of us may be stuck in the middle of three seats across and unable to take photos easily. As it turned out, there were only five of us. Lisa and I sat in one seat with Tom alone in front of us. We’d have no problem taking photos from our prime positions in the tiered seating game drive vehicle.

What’s the difference between a black-headed vulture and a red-headed vulture? But once again, they found that hemoglobin — and not carotenoids — is the main pigment responsible for the red coloration of the turkey vulture’s head skin, whilst eumelanin is the source for the coloration of the black vulture’s black head skin.

Since it was so early in the morning, the 20-minute drive to the Crocodile Bridge Gate was windy and cool. We’d all bundled up in layers and wore hats, and the time passed quickly while we were cool in the early morning temperatures.

Once we arrived at the gate, the guided safari vehicles were first in line, while tourists self-driving were in another row. By 6:30, we were processed and heading into the park. We used our Wild Card annual pass, and Lisa purchased a single-entry pass. Louise had arranged the guided tour at Marloth Park Info Centre for the six-hour morning game drive at the cost of ZAR 980, US $50.33.

Vultures only eat dead meat. They do not hunt for live wildlife.

Although we saw four of The Big Five with no rhinos in the areas we traveled since they’ve all been moved for safety reasons (to avoid poaching), we didn’t see a tremendous number of animals, not as many as we often see when we do a self-drive.

However, the sightings that Martin pursued after communicating with other drivers were worth the long distances we drove to specific locations. There, we saw the elusive leopard and, later, further away, male and female lions with a Cape buffalo kill.

Vultures are often seen in dead trees because the sturdy, leafless branches provide stable perches, unobstructed views, and a safe place to roost, especially for scavenging birds with flat, chicken-like feet.

We spent most of the six hours racing in the bouncing vehicle. My Fitbit registers the bouncing as if it were steps. At the end of the six hours, my watch registered almost 6000 steps when we only walked from the parking lot where Martin parked the vehicle to the Mugg & Bean restaurant in Lower Sabie, where Lisa and I had an early lunch. Tom wasn’t hungry and didn’t order.

An hour later, we were back on the road, with multiple elephant sightings in the process, as we returned to the Crocodile Bridge, where our six-hour tour was ending.

Spotting elephants in the wild is always an extraordinary experience.

We generously tipped Martin for a good day and were anxious to get in the house to review our photos. Later, we had a lovely dinner, and we all headed to bed early to make up for lost sleep. For the first time since we arrived, I slept well for over eight hours, woke up refreshed, and was ready for a new day.

The three of us are seated at the table on the veranda using our laptops. Tom is listening to podcasts using his earbuds, and Lisa and I are working on our respective websites, posting photos and information about our safari day. Here’s the link to Lisa’s site.

This is a younger elephant whose tusks are continuing to grow.

Tonight, the three of us are going to Girafe Bar & Grill for dinner and then “quiz night,” a three-hour group trivia game with many other locals and tourists in attendance. The locals take this game very seriously, so it should be fun.

We’ll add the remainder of our many photos over the next several days. Please check back.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 8, 2015

A juice bar on wheels in Hanalei, Kauai. For more photos, please click here.

A lazy Sunday with lots of activities planned for the upcoming week…

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Mac was unhappy that another male impala came into the garden, “This is my house,” he says.

Shortly before we headed out the door last night for Jabula, Norman, Nina, and four of their kids and grandkids stopped by. It was Lisa’s first opportunity to see Norman and his family. We squealed with delight while I cut up carrots and apples for them. It was such a pleasure to show our friend my favorite animal.

We left for dinner a short time later, having another great evening at our favorite restaurant. We sat at the bar, engaging with manager Corrine and various guests who stopped by for drinks and dinner. As always, the food was exceptional, the service was spot-on, and the ambiance was its usual charming African decor and appeal.

A zebra was drinking from the pool.

Yesterday morning, we visited Louise and Danie at their Marloth Park Information Centre down the road from us to talk to her about a few activities we’d like to book while Lisa is here.

We jammed-packed these events since the school holidays and Easter week are coming, and everything will be booked. Here’s our week ahead, including the following:

  • Monday, 5:00 am: A safari vehicle for ten guests will pick us up at our house to commence a guided six-hour safari/game drive in Kruger National Park. We won’t be posting tomorrow since we’ll be busy working with the hundreds of photos we expect to take on our safari. However, we will post the remainder of the week, sharing our Kruger photos.
  • Tuesday, 4:30 pm: Heading to Giraffe Bar and Grill for dinner, followed by an evening of “Quiz Night.”
  • Wednesday, 3:00 pm: We’ll be picked up by a guide with a safari vehicle for an afternoon and evening game drive. We’ll enjoy the evening game drive with hopes of spotting nocturnal wildlife, followed by “Dinner in the Bush” outdoors, surrounded by wildlife in Kruger National Park.

  • Big Daddy.

  • Thursday, all day and evening: Spend the day and evening at the house with visiting wildlife, cooking on the braai, and savoring the peace and quiet of bush living.
  • Friday: Drive through Marloth Park in search of wildlife; 4:45 pm, head to Jabula for drinks and dinner.
  • Saturday, 4:45 pm, head to Jabula for drinks and dinner.
Multiple species in the garden.

It will be a fun week, and we’re looking forward to all of the events, especially sharing it with our friend Lisa, who’s loving every moment.

Once we’ve done the guided game drives, we’ll begin going into Kruger on self-drives a few times each week, stopping at the Mugg and Bean and the fabulous gift shop in Lower Sabie.

Soon, I’ll start prepping dinner. Tonight, Tom will have stir-fry leftovers from Wednesday, which we’d froze and defrosted in the refrigerator, and Lisa and I will have hake on the braai. We’ll have fresh buttered green beans, Greek salad, and keto lemon poppyseed muffins.

Young male bushbuck.

It’s overcast today, pleasantly cool and comfortable. We’re doing laundry, but the clothes won’t dry for days with the high humidity. At night, Tom will haul the laundry rack indoors, where we’ll leave it while we’re on safari in the morning. This way, we can ensure that monkeys or baboons don’t take our clothes.

Have a wonderful Sunday, wherever you may be. We send love and good wishes.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 6, 2015:

This is the only health food store within a half-hour drive, Healthy Hut. The inventory is abundant with fresh, locally grown organic produce, grass-fed meats, free-range chickens and eggs, and food and health supplies one would find in a much larger location in a big city. Pricey? Yep! For more photos, please click here.

It’s a special day in our lives of travel…Last night, eight guys and me at the “Cheers-type” bar at Jabula…What a blast!…

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My first ever attachment to an impala. This is Mac. He hangs around our garden throughout the day and night. Most often, impalas graze in herds. Max is the exception. He’s learning his name and the sound of my voice.

We uploaded our first post on March 15, 2012, 13 years ago as of today. You can read the first post here.

It was an exciting day to upload that first post. Although our site wasn’t entirely designed then, I did my best to make it readable. We made many errors, many more than we make today, but I genuinely believe our readers understand that posting as often as we do, a certain number of errors are to be expected, although we both proofread each day.

Today’s post will be number 4172. It is not exactly one post per day; there have been times when we couldn’t post or took a day off during the 13 years since we began sharing our story.

Although we posted on March 15, 2012, we didn’t begin our travels until October 31, 2012, 231 days later. But, we thought we needed to share the process of unloading everything we owned and the emotions associated with letting go of so much we knew and love, including family and friends.

Mongeese drinking from the bird bath after eating paloney..

In the beginning, we included a few photos—for many days, there were no photos. However, as time marched on and our experiences grew, we purchased a cheap little automatic camera at a Walmart in Mexico, with virtually no expertise in photography.

Over the years, our interest in sharing photos increased exponentially but my interest in photography never increased. Thus, as much as we’d like our photos to be perfect, we spend little time editing photos while gaining little knowledge about how to take great pictures.

Tom’s dinner at Jabula last night was 300 gr. rump steak, baked potato, sour cream (which I used), and green beans. He said it was delicious.

After spending so much time preparing posts and photos, once I am done for the day, I have little interest in using my laptop or learning about photography to a greater degree. It is what it is, and I do my best with my limited ability. We hope you all understand.

We’ve found we like to spend the balance of our days experiencing the world around us instead of being educated on a topic for which I have little interest and skill. As long as I can upload photos for our readers to see, I am content and experience no frustration or angst for this topic.

We have thoroughly enjoyed sharing our stories and photos over these past 13 years and hope you will continue to enjoy them with us. Without all of you, I’d have had little motivation to spend every morning of my life sitting at my laptop documenting almost every detail of our lives. For this, I thank everyone of you.

This grilled chicken salad will be a regular for me. It consisted of a Greek salad topped with tender grilled chicken.

On another note, last night we had another fantastic time at Jabula, the South Africa equivalent of the Cheers Bar from the TV series from 1982-1993, about a bar, “where everyone knew your name.” I felt like a prima donna surrounded by eight men sitting at the bar with us, commiserating over our love of the bush, nature and travel. Dawn, the lovely owner, stood behind the bar and joined in with all of us.

Two men were British, two were from Mozambique, and the remainder were South African. What a lively group! The animated conversation, laughter, and interaction amongst the group were palpable. When we left, we received hugs, kisses, and handshakes all around. Surely we’ll see many of them again.

As always, our food was fantastic. We ate sitting at the bar, as usual, never missing a beat in the lively conversations. It was a memorable night. More will follow tonight.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 15, 2015::

In Kauai, we watched the life cycle of the Laysan Albatross for months. The beaks of the Albatross are used for preening and signs of greeting. They may also be used aggressively if an intruder threatens them or the nest. For more photos, please click here.

Finally, settled in and fully rested…Fun anniversary night…

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Mom and baby kudu.

No words can express how relieved we are to feel rested. This was the most prolonged period (five days) that either of us was tired and had difficulty sleeping after the two-day journey to South Africa.

Mom and a youngster scouring the ground for pellets.

Although I woke up several times last night, I got about seven hours of sleep and feel great today. Tom has also recovered after almost sleeping through the night. We only needed to sleep for one or two nights in past visits to feel well again. It must be due to old age.

A female kudu drinking from the bird bath.

Last night, we had an excellent time at Jabula. As always, the food was fantastic, as shown in the photos below, and Dawn kept us busy introducing us to guests we’d never met and seeing a few we knew from the past. There was never a dull moment. We arrived at 5:00 pm and had dinner at 7:00, sitting at the bar.

Tom’s dinner at Jabula consisted of Chicken Schnitzel, baked potato, green beans, creamed spinach with mushroom sauce and sour cream. He offered me his creamed spinach which he knows I love, and the sour cream.

Dawn was as thoughtful as ever, ensuring they had my favorite light wine, South Africa Four Cousins Skinny Red. We ordered a bottle for me, and last night I drank two glasses, and tonight I will have two more. There will be a little left which we’ll take with us when we go “home.”

My delicious meal consisted of grilled hake, three eggs, more creamed spinach and tartar sauce.

“The recognized size for a standard pour of wine is around 5 ounces. So, if you’re doing the math, a bottle should yield about five glasses of wine. Of course, individual preferences might vary the pour, but as a general rule of thumb, expect five (5-ounce) glasses from a 750-milliliter bottle.”

This young male was brazen, approaching us at the table. Notice his budding horns.

Tom drank his favorite, Lion Beer, which he can only get in South Africa. This week, we received an order from Takalot, South Africa’s version of Amazon, for a case of 24 cans of Lion Beer, 17.6 oz (500 ml) for Tom for ZAR 289, US $15.83.

We’re trying to feed the animals beyond the little fence to preserve the grass in the garden, but some of the animals come over anyway, even though they don’t get any pellets.

We also received a case of 12 bottles of Four Cousins Skinny Red wine for ZAR 729, US $39.94. This is an average of US $3.32 per full-sized 750 ml bottle, which is typical for wine made in South Africa. In the US, we paid at least $15 for a similar bottle of red wine.

A young kudu looking for pellets. Mom was nearby.

We’ll head to Komatipoort tomorrow to go grocery shopping at the larger Spar Market. That Spar Market has a considerably more extensive inventory than the new SaveMor Spar recently built in Marloth Park. The local store is perfect for picking up a few items but doesn’t fulfill our grocery shopping needs.

It takes about 20 minutes to get to Komatipoort, but we never mind the drive along the sugar cane fields. We’ll most likely shop every week as we’ve done in the past.

An entire family begging for pellets.

Kathy and Don safely arrived yesterday, exhausted from an even more extended trip than ours. They will undoubtedly spend the next few days recovering before we see them. We are both looking forward to reuniting with our dear friends after three years.

We return to Jabula for dinner again tonight, feeling much more alert and rested. Dawn is having the kitchen staff make a leg of lamb for me, which I haven’t had since we were here almost two years ago. A leg of lamb, creamed spinach, a Greek salad, and a glass of red wine sound perfect.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 8, 2015:

Many plants and trees on new friends Bev and Sam’s property in Kauai produce various fruits, such as in this pineapple garden, grown in such abundance that they are sold; all are organic and non-GMO, without pesticides and chemicals. For more photos, please click here.

Today is our 30th wedding anniversary…And the sightings continue…

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In front of God’s Window in South Africa. Photo taken in March 2013.

Kathy and Don are on their flight from Johannesburg to Mpumalanga/Nelspruit/Kruger. They will go grocery shopping at Woolies in Nelspruit and then make their way to Marloth Park. We will likely not see them for several days so that they can rest and recover from the long journey.

I just texted Kathy that when we visit over the next few months, until they leave in May, we will bring our food, including our meat and sides, and a large salad to share. We won’t need her to make starters of side dishes, especially since we are both watching our weight. In South Africa, it’s traditional for guests to bring their drinks.

It’s been a busy past few days as we’ve unpacked and organized our stuff, done laundry and finally, opened the several bins Louise had stored for us for almost two years. It was like Christmas opening those bins filled with kitchen supplies, gadgets, and spices we’d left behind.

Mongooses are playful and adorable.

Also, we had a black tote filled with clothes we’d left behind, some summer and some winter. After all, we’d been here for several years, accumulating more than we ever dared to carry due to weight restrictions. Once we leave here in September, we will give  Vusi and Zef and their families the overflow clothing, and we’ll give the kitchen products to Louise for her many holiday rentals.

Unloading all the containers took the better part of the day. This morning, Vusi picked up the tote of clothes to be washed, dried, and folded. Of course, I advised Vusi there was no rush. After all, we haven’t had those clothes for two years and won’t miss a thing.

This was only a part of their “band.” When we made a clicking sound, many more came into the garden.

It felt good to get everything done, and we could relax and enjoy the weekend. Tonight, we’ll head to Jabula for dinner and to celebrate our 30th anniversary among friends. Last night, again, I didn’t get much sleep, waking up at 2:30 am and never going back to sleep. I tried breathing and relaxation techniques, but nothing allowed me to drift off. Maybe a nap will be on the agenda today so I’ll be perky for our night out.

Look at them! They are on a frenzy, getting to the meat we tossed to them.

We thought it may take a few days to see a steady stream of wildlife visitors, but no more than a few hours after our arrival, they were “hoofing it” over to our veranda when they saw us. We recognized some of them, but no Norman yet. I continue to wait for his return with his family.

When they’d devoured the paloney and chicken scraps, a few came to the door, wondering where we were when we were sitting at the table on the veranda.

Tom set up the trail cam, and there were only these two blurry photos from last night when a few giraffes walked across our garden (they call it a “yard or backyard,” here a garden). Undoubtedly, one day soon, we will see them lumbering across the terrain.

No, you can’t go into the house, as tempting as that may be. We shooed them away.

We were thrilled to see the many mongooses return to hang out with us. We made our familiar clicking sound and more came running from deep in the bush ready to partake in cubes of cut paloney roll and leftover chicken bones from last night’s dinner. They are funny little critters with lots of personality and endless antics. Enjoy the photos!

Can you see the giraffe near the center of this trail cam photo?
Here is another giraffe, taken with the trail cam, in the right in this photo.

Have a wonderful weekend and be well!

Photos from ten years ago today, March 7, 2015:

Our anniversary photo from March 2013, the night we were injured on the collapsed steps in Belize. Gosh, we were tan. We don’t tan anymore. For more, please click here.

It’s a wonderland for sure…

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This wildebeest has a new name…Blondie, with this adorable blond hair.

Last night, when we went to bed shortly after dinner. Still tired from our long journey, we both fell asleep during the two shows we tried to watch. We agreed to wake each other up when we saw the other snoozing to get on a practical sleeping schedule, but we fell asleep simultaneously. We probably shouldn’t have taken a short nap during the day.

Another view of Blondie.
We were thrilled to see the dozen wildebeests visit our garden.

Subsequently, I awoke at 2:30 am and Tom shortly thereafter. We’ve been awake since. It’s been hot since we arrived on Monday and the high today is expected to be 96F, 36 C and similar temps will continue through the next seven days.

Pellets were on the menu. So far, we’ve purchased two 40 kg bags, 88 pounds, which should last through the weekend. The pellet guy comes to Louise’s nearby office on Fridays, when we’ll buy two more weekly bags.

It’s still summer here, and the mozzies accompany the hot weather. We use repellent three times a day and multiple insect repellent products when sitting outdoors at night. Once it cools down, there will be fewer mosquitoes in months to come, but we will still use repellent since it is prevalent to a lesser degree during the fall and winter months.

They lingered for an hour and then took off to search for “greener pastures.”
Scientific Name: Connochaetes taurinus (Blue Wildebeest), Connochaetes gnou (Black Wildebeest) Common Name: Wildebeest, Gnu. Size: Approximately 4-5 feet tall at the shoulder, body length of 6-8 feet. Weight: 260-600 pounds. Lifespan: 10-20 years in the wild. Diet: Herbivore, primarily grasses.

Overall, we feel good. Our sleep schedules will return to normal in a few days, but we enjoy every moment in the meantime. The familiarity of living in the bush for over four years hasn’t diminished our sense of awe and wonder of this magical place.

There are two species of wildebeest: the blue and the black. We see blue wildebeests in Marloth Park.

This morning, we’re doing three loads of laundry. With the heat we don’t wear anything twice, whereas over the past year, living with central air conditioning we could wear the same shirt for a few days and jeans for several days. Tom found the portable drying rack in the storage room. He’s doing the laundry while I hang it on the drying rack as each load is done.

They often drink from the pool.

Tonight’s dinner will be a repeat last night’s: chicken breasts, legs, and thighs on the grill with a side of egg salad and rice for Tom. I’ll make more elaborate meals once it cools down and I’m more rested.

Wildebeests are part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, the world’s largest land migration.

Kathy and Don arrive tomorrow, but we won’t see them for a few days while they recover from an even further journey from Hawaii, several hours longer than our trip from Nevada.

This morning, more than 50 animals came to the garden, and we welcomed everyone. Already, we’re becoming familiar with frequent visitors and seeing a few we recall from almost two years ago.

Wildebeest calves can run within minutes of being born.

What can I say, other than…it is lovely. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be here. Thanks for all the well wishes from our readers/friends and family. We write here, just for YOU!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 6, 2015:

In Kauai, the seawater was so clear we could see little fish swimming in this tide pool. For more photos, please click here.

We’ve arrived at wildlife paradise!…Marloth Park, South Africa…

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Our first visitor this morning, a male bushbuck.

Note: There is a blur in some of the photos from using our camera instead of my phone. I think I’ve fixed it but I will see how it goes after a few adjustments/

It was a long trip, almost two days, but we are thrilled to return to South Africa. I wrote part of this post on our last of the three fights, albeit a little raggedy after little sleep. We awoke on Saturday morning, anxious for the long journey to be completed and never slept again until Monday night.
A younger male bushbuck than the photo shown above

And there we were on Monday, flying from Cape Town to Mpumalanga/Nelspruit/Kruger, where we collected our bags and the rental car for the 90-minute drive to Marloth Park.

A handsome, Mr. Impala.

Yes, it already feels like home after being away for one month short of two years. It seems like yesterday when we last left. We assumed we’d be returning a year earlier, but health circumstances kept us away a year longer than anticipated.

Three female kudus stopped by for a visit.

However, we are grateful to be here now and will treasure each day we are given in this wildlife wonderland, along with the joys of some of the best friends we’ve made in years, both human and animal.

Ah, it feels good.

A lovely female kudu.

The trip was long and tiring for old-timers, but we never complained. We maneuvered through each of the three flights, two layovers, five times through security, and only once through immigration.

A male warthog visited.
A mom warthog with two of her three piglets.

We had to collect our bags and recheck them in Cape Town for the last leg on the smaller Airlink plane. Much to our delight, they were all there, and we didn’t have to pay more than the $100 fee for one very overweight bag.

A male warthog attempting to climb onto the veranda.

The weirdest part of the trip is that the first and second flights from Las Vegas to London and the next from London to Cape Town were both in the dark, with dinner served and breakfast 7-8 hours later. Of course, this was due to the 10-hour time difference.

Big Daddy kudu.

This morning we had the blessed opportunity to see many animals and we stayed busy tossing them pellets.

Some of the wildlife will likely take several days to learn we are here. I’m looking forward to seeing my boy Norman, the daddy and now grandaddy Nyala, in the park. We can’t wait to share!

Another Big Daddy.

Last night, after our arrival and time spent with Louise and Danie at their place, we showered and dressed to head out to Jabula for dinner. The kisses and hugs from Dawn, Leon, and other old friends we saw in the bar warmed our hearts, making us all the more aware of the magic of this remarkable place.

Dinner was predictably outstanding. Our total bill included two light beers for me and three for Tom, plus our meals, taxes, and tips, was US $32.67, ZAR 608.72. This is a far cry from the US $100, ZAR 1863.25, we paid each time we dined out in the US.

Tom’s dinner was a bunless pineapple burger with green beans.
My Greek salad.
It looks awful but spicy peri-peri chicken livers is one of my favorites at Jabula.

We are entirely unpacked and will soon head to the new grocery store in Marloth Park. We only need to buy enough dinner ingredients to last until Friday, when we’ll return to Jabula on Friday night (and Saturday)to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.

Plus after a good night’s sleep neither of us has jetlag.

Stay tuned, dear readers, lots more is yet to come!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 4, 2015:

We always feel fortunate to have the opportunity to embrace these memorable scenes, in this case in Kauai, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.
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